Has anyone requested a variation of 4 under 5's?

[TheOriginalXENA]

Am a registered cm myself, currently using a cm for my two younger dc's. CM has put in a variation request for 4 under 5's. I have a similar variation on my certificate and before it was agreed had to write a detailed sheet on how I was going to manage the children. However my childminder has been emailed a grid to fill in the hours that will overlap and what children she will be caring for... Can anyone tell me what Ofsted are looking for? Is there a limit of the number of hours etc?

This grid is something I have sent in with my variation requests in the past, not always though as sometimes the hours haven't been set. I don't think there is a set number of hours or anything, just they like it all nice and clear for them with the ages clear so they get an overall picture of what's being requested.

Thanks looneytune- so do you think that if they agree it, it won't stipulate the hours?

Its actually only going to overlap a couple of times a week until the end of may (term time only so only around 7 weeks)

Ah, the problem here is that they normally word the certificate to say 'exeption to this is to allow 4 under 5's (or whatever) on a (whatever days) as per the request dated blabla' So if she's filled in the form and the hours change, another letter would need to be sent iyswim.

That is a pain - although unlikely to be more than two days, it would have been good to beable to be abit flexible. Although I guess its only 7 weeks so it will be workable.

I have a variation at present and my certificate states the specific days and times when it is valid.

She could always put the hours and then ask if there could be some flexibility? I once had inspector round (when reg'd for o/night care) and she commented on how many requests I'd made and I said 'well sorry but the rules are I have to write requesting every single change so I can't help it' and she then asked me everything I was likely to ask in the future. I mentioned a term time only parent MAY want the odd day of holiday cover and so that would be a new letter/cert etc. Anyway, she got that added on at the same time . Always worth them asking for flexibility, you never know Maybe get them to agree first and then follow it up with the flexibility bit before they issue cert?

so to cover us do you think she should ask for an overlap of 11.30am until 4pm mon-fri for 7 weeks? or is that going to be to much?

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I have had several variations to allow me to have 4 under 5s. Although I was always asking for specific hours or days, I also said that I might need the variation for occasional extra hours or days during the week in case parents had meetings, needed to work late or whatever.

My new certificate has always stated that the variation has been accepted according to my letter (and it states the date of the letter).